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Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Michael Bridge of Sky Sports has been praising the recruitment of Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou. 

The lowdown: Shrewd spender

Since being appointed at Celtic Park in June 2021, the 56-year-old has set about scouting world football for high-quality options to bolster the Hoops’ squad.

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Signings such as Liel Abada from Maccabi Petah Tikva, Carl Starfelt from Rubin Kazan and Kyogo Furuhashi from Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe all arrived as relative unknowns before becoming almost instant successes in Glasgow.

As the Bhoys stand on the brink of winning the Scottish Premiership title, much of the credit is being placed at the door of Postecoglou…

The latest: Bridge hails transfer nous

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Bridge, who works for Sky Sports, has lauded the Greek-Australian’s impact in the market.

“You’ve got to give credit to Celtic and their manager Ange Postecoglou. He’s just come in and steamrollered it. If you look at Rangers in the table, they’re not actually doing that bad, they’ve not lost a lot. They’ve just drawn too many games, and they’ve lost to Celtic a couple of times.

“Celtic have brought in this manager from Japan, people scoffed at it. Let’s not forget, that’s where Wenger came from. He’s bought four Japanese players who’ve absolutely ripped the league to shreds. He’s bought other good players as well.”

The verdict: Unequivocal success

It’s hard to argue with Bridge’s view as the Hoops march on towards a potential league and cup double in Postecoglou’s first season at Parkhead.

Having walked into a squad devoid of confidence, the former Australian national team coach has galvanised those existing players whilst also unearthing a host of diamonds in the transfer market.

Kyogo, Abada and Starfelt have all settled into life at Celtic seamlessly, whilst the likes of loan arrivals Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers have been nothing short of a revelation this season.

January signings Daizen Maeda, Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate have all made bright beginnings in their own Bhoys careers too and it would appear inevitable that Postecoglou would be back once again in the upcoming summer market.

In other news, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has been left fuming. Read more here.

Some Liverpool supporters have been bemoaning an injury update on Curtis Jones, with the youngster left out of England Under-21s’ side on Thursday.

The Reds drew 2-2 at home to Manchester City last Sunday, in what was a breathtaking Premier League contest.

Unfortunately, the domestic action has been halted for two weeks while another international break takes place, with various Liverpool players heading off to represent their countries.

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Jones is a part of the England U21 squad and he was expected to play against Slovenia on Thursday evening.

The 20-year-old was left out, however, with journalist Nick Mashiter [via Anfield Watch on Twitter] confirming that he was absent after suffering a knock.

It is the latest injury setback for a Liverpool midfielder, with Thiago and Harvey Elliott already out, and the hope is that it is nothing serious.

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Liverpool fans bemoan Jones setback

These Reds fans took to Twitter to rue Jones’ injury.

“Last season was defenders this season is midfielders”

Credit: @irsyadreus

“Oh no”

Credit: @LwazmeroDlams

“It’s happening again”

Credit: @Zarrriff

“OMG”

Credit: @ARH1892

“We’re finished”

Credit: @tems2310

“We’ve tons of midfield options thanks to FSG. Massive”

Credit: @ElReyNino

In other news, Klopp is reportedly keen on signing one exciting player. Find out who it is here.

Speaking to Football Insider, Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson has been left wowed by Tottenham Hotspur starlet Pape Matar Sarr and has even dropped a Tanguy Ndombele comparison.

The Lowdown: Spurs snap up Sarr…

Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici showcased why Daniel Levy appointed him as he managed to bring in both Sarr and defender Emerson Royal during the last fortnight of the transfer window.

The former, who has been touted as a really promising midfield gem, even attracted attention from Premier League champions Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United in the summer (Evening Standard).

Alas, Spurs won the race to sign Sarr and it’s safe to say Robinson has been left impressed by his capture at N17.

The Latest: Robinson drops Sarr claim…

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Lilywhites keeper has even claimed that the 18-year-old is an ‘improved version’ of club record signing Tanguy Ndombele and will be fighting for first team opportunities in years to come.

“He’s played 20 odd times for Metz already,” Robinson explained.

“He will be challenging for a first-team place at Tottenham. This isn’t someone who’s coming in to be part of the Under 23s.

“He looks like the finished article and he’s only going to get better.

“If you look at him and the way he plays, he looks like an improved version of Ndombele.

“For the price Sarr cost, he looks a better player.”

The Verdict: Big statement…

Likening the teenager to Ndombele arguably comes as a big statement given Sarr has just one full season of senior action under his belt.

However, if he continues at this trajectory, the starlet could well be one to watch – especially considering he averaged a rather impressive two tackles per 90 over 18 Ligue 1 starts for FC Metz last year (WhoScored).

Still very young but gaining valuable experience thriving at the top level already, Spurs supporters could be about to witness the rise of a real prospect.

In other news: Spurs chiefs left seething over N17 exit gaffe as Alasdair Gold drops behind the scenes reveal, find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur are planning to bolster Nuno Santo’s midfield in the coming transfer windows…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who delivered a fresh update on Spurs’ plans to his ‘Here We Go’ podcast this week.

“They are always planning for the long term with Fabio Paratici,” he said.

“Let me say this, they will focus on the midfield. I don’t know if it will be in January or the summer, but the next position they want to improve is the midfield.

“Let’s see what happens with [Tanguy] Ndombele, if they find a solution, but they need to improve the midfield, so let’s see if January brings on an opportunity. Paratici and [Steve] Hitchen will work on this in the coming months.”

Forward-thinking

Paratici has done some great work since arriving in north London in June.

He has successfully moved on some of the deadwood, overseeing the departures of players like Serge Aurier, Moussa Sissoko and Erik Lamela, whilst also bolstering the playing squad in key positions.

Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal are impressive additions in defence, while youngsters like Bryan Gil and Pape Matar Sarr will be earmarked for the long-term future.

And as Romano explains on the podcast, it’s how Spurs will now operate with the Italian supremo in charge, which is hugely exciting – especially as it’s something that had faltered in recent years.

Prior to Nuno’s appointment, the only academy success stories were really only the two Harrys, Kane and Winks.

It’s also encouraging to see that Paratici and co know where the big weakness is now as Spurs have struggled with creativity in the engine room all campaign.

As per The Athletic, the Lilywhites have the lowest expected goals (xG) of any Premier League team, with a total of 4.42. They also have recorded the second-fewest shots at goal and have only created two big chances across their opening five matches.

Evidently, there needs to be a Christian Eriksen-like presence in the squad and that’ll only happen through the transfer market.

Ndombele’s future is still in doubt, as Romano hints at, whilst Giovani Lo Celso is yet to truly hit the ground running since joining in the summer of 2019. Oliver Skipp is an exciting prospect that will only improve with time. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is more defensively-minded and then there’s Dele Alli, who is some way off hitting his previous heights.

On that basis, the fact that Spurs are targeting a new midfield addition should have many supporters around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium absolutely buzzing.

January is only 100 days away.

AND in other news, Spurs “really like” £22.5m-rated beast who’s “aggressive”, he could be their next Dier…

Fabrizio Romano has revealed the latest on Newcastle United’s search for a new manager, including the latest on Paulo Fonseca.

What’s the story?

Having finally come to terms with the removal of Steve Bruce, the Magpies can now firmly turn their attentions towards hiring a new boss, and Romano has indicated that the race is still very much open at the moment.

Writing on Twitter on Wednesday lunch-time, he initially said: “Paulo Fonseca and Lucien Favre are still among ‘options’ on Newcastle list for manager role. No talks with Antonio Conte as things stand now. Fonseca, open to discuss. #NUFC Talks opened few days ago with Fonseca, Favre is waiting too. Nothing agreed yet. Race still open.”

Then, on early Thursday morning, he added: “Newcastle decision on new manager will take some days. Paulo Fonseca would be open to accept and excited for this opportunity after Spurs job chance collapsed at final stages last summer – but Newcastle are in talks with many candidates. #NUFC Race still open for Magpies job.”

A new era at Newcastle United

Perhaps the most exciting thing for Newcastle United fans – aside from the obvious of Bruce being out – is the sheer calibre of managers being linked with the top job at St James’ Park.

Both Fonseca and Lucien Favre have won big trophies at their previous clubs, while Antonio Conte is arguably the biggest of the lot.

He led Inter to the Serie A title last season, and has already of course won the Premier League and FA Cup in his previous stint as manager at Chelsea. His experience of the English game could also be a major drawing point for PIF.

While Amanda Staveley and co will be looking for a rebuild, targeting proven European managers with considerable experience managing in the top leagues and competing in the Champions League too, is something that will surely delight Magpies supporters.

Meanwhile, Craig Hope has delivered his own Newcastle United manager update…

When Everton signed Michael Keane for a total that could rise to £30m back in 2017, eyebrows were raised.

There was a clear recognition that the central defender could become a big part of the Three Lions set up and with that in mind, he was always going to cost a fair whack.

However, it’s difficult to suggest that sum of money has ever been worth it. This assessment comes in light of an extremely difficult window for the Toffees too.

Rafa Benitez hasn’t been able to spend as freely as he would have liked when agreeing to come to Goodison Park and their inability to sign another proven centre-half is coming back to bite them.

With Ben Godfrey on the sidelines, those who have come in to deputise are hardly covering themselves in glory.

Keane has been questionable right throughout the new campaign, form that makes Everton’s decision to hand him a new five-year contract in 2020 a rather baffling one.

The £69k-per-week earner was at fault for Leeds’ opening goal last weekend, turning slowly and allowing Patrick Bamford to get the run on him.

Yet, Keane’s form didn’t improve despite playing against Championship opposition in the Carabao Cup.

Everton were far from their best as they scraped a 2-1 win away at Huddersfield after having Moise Kean sent off for his reaction to a late tackle.

Although that didn’t help proceedings, neither did Keane’s defending for Huddersfield’s goal.

As the ball was swung in from a corner, the former Burnley man completely lost his marker as Tom Lees rose highest to head the ball home.

He was playing next to Jonjoe Kenny, a further defender who looked completely out of his depth. He endured a torrid loan spell with Celtic last term and his first outing for Everton after returning did not go well either.

Kenny was caught out on plenty of occasions and was handed a match rating of just five by the Liverpool Echo.

Yet, his statistics certainly weren’t as bad as Keane’s. He completed just 73% of his passes, the second-worst tally by an outfield player in a Toffees shirt on the night.

Furthermore, he surrendered possession on 17 occasions, a tally that only Asmir Begovic topped in the Everton side.

It’s one thing performing below par against Premier League opposition but the fact he was at fault against a team in the division below says a lot about his early season performances.

Rafa Benitez should be incredibly concerned about the form of his centre-back. He must lust for the return of Godfrey.

AND in other news, Patrick Boyland makes Ndombele to Everton claim, fans should be intrigued…

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham fans have erupted over the news that the Irons are set to make a late move for the permanent signing of Armando Broja.

The 20-year-old has quickly established himself as one of Southampton’s most important players since arriving on a season-long loan from Chelsea last summer.

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The striker has made 18 Premier League appearances for the Saints, 10 of which have come as part of the starting XI. During this time, the Albanian has scored five goals, combining with a further two strikes in two Carabao Cup games to make him Southampton’s top scorer this season.

Fans erupt at the Broja transfer links

According to a report by Football Insider, West Ham are lining up talks with Chelsea over the possible transfer of Broja as they look to beat Southampton to a late permanent signing.

Club fan page West Ham News & Views shared the news on their Twitter channel, relaying that the Hammers are ‘set to test the waters with a bid’ for the 20-year-old. Many Irons fans flocked to the comments, erupting over the possibility of the £8.1m-rated sensation coming to the London Stadium.

Here’s what some of them had to say:

“Wow, if we somehow pulled this off”

Credit: @_connorpoole_

“This is the one for me.”

Credit: @DNXN90

“Please lads, if you’re going to make only one signing, make it this. Please.”

Credit: @MagicalBowen

“we are back in business.”

Credit: @rozzzerrr

“PLEAAASEEEEE”

Credit: @JxstMika_

“If this is true we win the title”

Credit: @tswhu1

In other news: David Ornstein has reported that West Ham are also lining up a late January move for this 6 foot 4 colossus

Crystal Palace have been enjoying a promising season so far, and Patrick Vieira is now in a position to lead his side to a top-half finish if they can find a good run of form in the last few months of the season.

The club enjoyed a busy transfer window in the summer and have been linked with a few players this month, but emulating the previous transfer window could be off the cards.

What’s the word?

Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge has made a fresh claim on the likely scenario for the rest of the winter transfer window in terms of the Eagles adding players to their squad during January.

He told GiveMeSport: “Things are going pretty well under Patrick Vieira at the moment. He would like to add maybe one or two, but from what I’m told, they’re happy. And it would have to take a bit of a crisis injury wise to change that at the moment.”

Palace have been strongly linked with two players over the last few weeks, with both Eddie Nketiah and Bamba Dieng having their names put forward as potential targets for the south London club. However, nothing has materialised as of yet, and no bids have been made for either player.

Fans will be fuming

With nine draws in the Premier League this season, there have been plenty of missed opportunities to rack up a few more wins and push even higher up the table. The loss of two points late on against Brighton on Friday night, and the concession of a last-gasp equaliser in the reverse fixture in September, illustrates as such.

Being linked with attacking players such as Nketiah and Dieng could well have strengthened Vieira’s options when it comes to maximising output in the final third of the pitch.

Some Palace fans have been outlining the positions where they feel the squad need strengthening this month, but Bridge’s update suggests that supporters waiting on new arrivals in January will be left fuming.

Although the Eagles are lodged in a comfortable mid-table position, all it takes is a handful of injuries to key players for their squad to suddenly appear threadbare. Therefore, it could be a source of frustration that the club seem content not to bolster their playing ranks this month while they are getting the opportunity to do so.

In other news: Journalist drops huge update on Eagles target Eddie Nketiah

Flocking to Twitter, a number of Manchester City supporters have absolutely erupted over a latest exit report on Raheem Sterling.

The 26-year-old, who has proven to be a key player for Pep Guardiola in past seasons, continues to find himself on the fringes at the Etihad Stadium, with the likes of Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus seemingly preferred out wide.

Sterling’s game-time has been gradually declining since the beginning of 2021 and especially this season, starting just three Premier League games and appearing primarily off the City bench (WhoScored).

His contract situation is also up in the air, with his current deal set to expire in 2023 and still no sign of fresh terms, despite Guardiola’s wish for the winger to stay.

His lack of involvement compared to past seasons, as well as his contract saga, has seen Sterling repeatedly being linked with a move away from Manchester as La Liga giants Barcelona enter the fray.

Now, as per Metro, there has been another update on his future concerning City’s price tag. Indeed, their reporter Sean Kearns has shared news, attracting plenty of social media debate, that the Sky Blues value their forward at around £45m are indeed open to selling.

They are apparently set to use the sale of Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich in 2020 as a ‘guideline’ for their valuation whilst they continue talks with Sterling’s representatives.

Man City fans fume…

Flocking to this update, it’s safe to say that plenty of City fans have been left fuming by the meagre sum their club could accept for his services.

City’s top scorer in all competitions with 31 over the 2019/20 campaign, he is also yet to hit his prime, is homegrown and is a proven star at international level.

He has also steadily improved his all-round game under Guardiola since signing from Liverpool, with the Spaniard calling him ‘extraordinary’ following his 11-minute hat-trick against Atalanta in 2019 (Sky Sports).

Taking all this into account, it’s safe to say the player has serious ability when at his best, leaving little wonder why so many City supporters are in disbelief over his “disgusting” £45m valuation.

Check out some of their verdicts from Twitter below:

“Selling him for less than they bought him for would just be an utter embarrassment.”

Credit: @j2mcfc

“Disgusting”

Credit: @crossmerchant2

“Are we registered as a Charity???”

Credit: @charteredtax

“We’re so finished. We also valued Bernardo at 43m and look how that turned out. Been our best player this season”

Credit: @GoatedVision

“If we sell him for that little I will cry myself to sleep for a week”

Credit: @AaronWi

“We must be the most embarrassing club in the world in the transfer market”

Credit: @billymcfc_

“I’ve never seen a club worse than us at selling players”

Credit: @ReadJ0J0

“We are the worst selling club in the world”

Credit: @TeacherOfBall

In other news: ‘Perfect’, ‘Bring him home’ – These Man City fans erupt as Txiki eyes ‘massive signing’ for Pep; find out more here.

Now that they are seemingly out of trouble, Newcastle United can look to level up their squad in a bid to achieve a higher Premier League finish next season.

And, according to reports, the Magpies could look to kickstart this gradual rebuild with the acquisition of the 110-goal machine that is Christian Eriksen.

What’s the word?

Indeed, the Northern Echo claim Eddie Howe’s side have identified the Danish midfield maestro as one of their primary targets in the summer transfer window.

Having returned to action in what has been one of the greatest feel-good stories in recent football history, Eriksen signed a short-term deal when he agreed to join Brentford in January.

And whilst Bees boss Thomas Frank would like Eriksen to join on a permanent basis, Brentford face a tough challenge to hold onto him.

A positive return

With one goal and one assist in five Premier League appearances, Eriksen’s return to England’s top-flight has been a success thus far.

The 30-year-old has also been in goalscoring form following his return to the international stage, having scored in back-to-back games for Denmark.

His performances this season have cast doubters – who thought he was too fragile for top-flight football – aside – with his four consecutive 90-minute appearances demonstrating his emerging return back to his best.

And, despite Newcastle’s rise to presumed safety, they do need to work on their assertiveness in midfield, as well as their goal-scoring acumen, which has only seen the Magpies net 34 goals this season.

Eriksen – who has been described by Thomas Frank as “unbelievable” – can offer experience in both of those aspects, with his veteran footballing status sure to help Newcastle reach that next level.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Newcastle should do everything they can to sign a player who is valued at £13.5m in today’s market, for free.

Indeed, Eriksen would surely provide Newcastle United with a huge boost of creativity in the middle of the park, and, if he continues his impressive run of form since his return to the professional game, could even go on to become the Magpies’ new Chris Waddle – the legendary attacking midfielder who scored 46 goals over 170 appearances for the Toon.

In other news: NUFC eye £25m bid for £140k-p/w ace who “makes things happen”, it could be bye-bye ASM